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short ornamental grasses

If you’re looking to add year-round colour, texture, and form to your garden without taking up much space, short ornamental grasses are the perfect choice. These compact, versatile grasses thrive in New Zealand gardens and offer low-maintenance beauty in borders, rockeries, containers, and mass plantings. With their varied foliage and subtle flowers, short ornamental grasses can elevate any outdoor space, softening hard edges and creating lush, layered plantings that look good in every season.

Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.

Carex 'Frosted Curls'

5 from 1 customers

Carex 'Frosted Curls' is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm tall and 40 cm wide, performing best when planted on a well-drained site in full sun or partial shade.

From $11.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.

Lomandra 'Little Pal'

5 from 1 customers

Lomandra 'Little Pal' is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and width, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly tolerant of drought, frost, wind, and coastal conditions.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana'

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.95
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.
Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is...

From$6.95
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera 'Green'

Carex flagellifera 'Green' is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows...

From$12.95
isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

From$16.49
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans 'Green'

Carex comans 'Green' is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$11.50
Carex comans Bronze plant in a garden with dense bronze foliage.
Carex comans 'Bronze'

Carex comans 'Bronze' features slender, hair-like, bronze-brown foliage. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and the same width. Carex comans 'Bronze'...

From$9.95
Ophiopogon 'Kyoto' (Dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon 'Kyoto'

Ophiopogon 'Kyoto' is a Dwarf Mondo Grass and grows as a small clump with fine, dark green foliage. Flower spikes appear in summer bearing tiny...

From$6.95
Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.
Carex solandri

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...

From$11.50
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera 'Red'

Carex flagellifera 'Red' is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

From$12.95
Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush) plants growing in sand and displaying lush, green foliage.
Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush)

Ficinia nodosa, commonly known as Knobby Club Rush, is a NZ native grass that features stout, mid-green foliage. In cold or exposed climates, the...

From$14.84
Chrysopogon zizanioides grass plants growing alongside a stream.
Chrysopogon zizanioides

Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver Grass) is a hardy, evergreen clump forming grass renowned for its deep root system, attractive upright foliage, and...

From$20.63
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.25
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.
Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$19.95
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$11.50
Carex secta plants growing as a border garden in a commercial car park.
Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

Carex secta, commonly known as Pukio, is a striking New Zealand native sedge admired for its large, tussock forming habit and golden green foliage...

From$12.95
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.
Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$22.01
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$16.95
Armeria maritima 'Morning Star White' plant with white flowers.
Armeria maritima 'Morning Star White' (Thrift)

Armeria maritima 'Morning Star White' is a compact and charming perennial valued for its crisp white pompom flowers that rise above tidy clumps of...

From$23.39
Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue) grass growing in a garden.
Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue)

Festuca coxii, commonly known as Blue Fescue, is a hardy NZ native, ornamental grass that features fine, blue foliage. Straw-coloured seed heads...

From$14.49
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.
Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$11.50
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1
Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.49
Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.
Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

From$9.95
Austroderia fulvida (Toetoe) plants in a garden with cascading green foliage and white flower plumes.
Austroderia fulvida (Toetoe)

Austroderia fulvida, commonly known as Toetoe or Toi Toi, is a large and vigorous NZ native grass. It bears long, narrow, mid-green leaves that are...

From$13.73
Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.
Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves...

From$19.95
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$19.95
Ophiopogon japonicus (Green Mondo Grass) growing as a groundcover in a woodland garden.
Ophiopogon japonicus

Ophiopogon japonicus, commonly known as green Mondo Grass, is a striking ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces a dense tuft of...

From$9.95
Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe'

Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' is an evergreen, ornamental grass known for its mid-green, arching foliage and tidy clumping habit. Growing to...

From$14.95
juncus-blue-dart-
Juncus 'Blue Dart' (Blue Rush)

Juncus 'Blue Dart' is a striking ornamental rush prized for its upright blue green foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen plant...

From$18.29
Carex 'Frosted Curls'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carex, Isolepis, and Lomandra, or related Categories - Grasses, and Mondo Grass.

Search short ornamental grasses

Why Choose Short Ornamental Grasses

Short ornamental grasses are ideal for both small and large garden designs. They add movement and contrast without dominating other plants, making them superb companions for perennials or shrubs. Many varieties are drought-tolerant and excellent for coastal or urban environments. Their modest height means they won’t block views or overwhelm pathways, and their adaptability makes them suitable for full sun or part shade positions.

Top Short Ornamental Grasses for New Zealand Gardens

Explore some of our favourite short ornamental grasses that offer structure, style, and ease of care:

Lomandra Little Pal

If you’re after a hardy, compact grass with a neat growth habit, Lomandra Little Pal is a stand-out. Reaching only 30cm tall, it forms tidy clumps of fine, green leaves and handles both sun and shade. It’s perfect for borders, low-maintenance mass planting, or underplanted around trees where you need tough, reliable groundcover.

Lomandra Evergreen Baby

Lomandra Evergreen Baby is another excellent low-growing grass, thriving even in difficult spots. This variety stays close to the ground, making it a top pick for edging or filling gaps in mixed plantings. The softly arching foliage of Lomandra Evergreen Baby complements larger grasses or colourful flowers beautifully.

Carex Frosted Curls

For striking texture and a silvery-green hue, Carex Frosted Curls is hard to beat. Growing to around 30cm high, its fine leaves curl and ripple, catching the light for year-round interest. Use it to soften garden edges, trail from pots, or cascade over retaining walls.

Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush)

Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush) features distinctive blue-grey foliage in upright, compact clumps. At only 40cm tall, this tidy rush brings structure to wet or boggy areas, rain gardens, or as contrast among other short ornamental grasses.

Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

The petite Ophiopogon japonicus Nana often called dwarf mondo grass, is loved for its deep green foliage and tufted habit, growing just 10cm high. It’s a favourite for pathway edging, between paving stones, or under shrubs where you want a soft, lush groundcover.

How to Use Short Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape

Short ornamental grasses are incredibly versatile in New Zealand gardens. Plant them as low hedging along paths, mix them among flowering perennials for soft highlights, or use in pots for all-season interest on patios and decks. Their fine texture contrasts beautifully with bolder foliage, making them a designer’s secret for harmonious and dynamic plantings.

Caring for Short Ornamental Grasses

Most short ornamental grasses require little maintenance once established. They benefit from free-draining soil and, in most cases, tolerate dry conditions. A light trim in late winter or early spring keeps them neat and encourages new growth. Mulching helps to conserve moisture and reduces weeds, ensuring your chosen varieties thrive with minimal fuss.

Browse our range to discover how easy and rewarding short ornamental grasses can be in your garden. Whether you’re planting for structure, texture, or low-effort beauty, these compact wonders offer endless creative possibilities.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Love Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' and Lomandra 'Lime Tuff'? Then you’ll adore the quiet charm of Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka), Plum 'Greengage', and Grevillea 'Ignite'.
–The Plant Company

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